I pull the #1 plug then stick my thumb over the spark plug hole and bump the
starter until the compression pops my thumb off, At this point I insert a
long plastic drinking straw into the cylinder (you could use a long plastic
zip/wire tie, I like plastic cause it can't scratch or gouge threads,
cylinder walls or piston tops) then I spin the crank by hand (with a socket
and ratchet/breaker bar if needed) until my high tech plastic indicator
reaches the top and starts back down, I move the crank back and forth to
insure I am at absolute Top Dead Center.  Works right every time.  Now for
inserting the distributor, there is not much space between the distributor
gear teeth, it is quite easy to miss by one tooth.  Be very observant and
careful during this part of the process.  If your oil pump drive is leaning
to far to one side to easily slip up into the distributor shaft you can
stick a glob of grease between the low side of the hole and the oil pump
drive shaft to hold it in the center.

Good Luck